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Neutrogena vs Simple

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Neutrogena and Simple are two established skincare brands, with the former founded in America in 1930 and the latter established in Britain in 1960. The American brand is widely loved for its moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners relying on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, which suit dry and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin, which suit oily and acne-prone skin best. While both utilize glycerin to enhance hydration and support barrier function, they differ in their primary ingredient focuses and targeted skin types.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

This page compares some of the most popular Neutrogena and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Neutrogena vs Simple products

People Say

NeutrogenaSimple
  • Acne-Safe and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable Price and Value Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Fast Absorption Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Absorbs quickly — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Absorbs really well into my skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Applies easily and quickly absorbs. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Not rich enough for very dry mature skin — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “not rich enough — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Formula change ruined it — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Poor Makeup Removal and Waterproof Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for fast absorption and anti-aging care, while Simple is better for value and gentle formulas. Both brands offer products on this page that achieve High routine fit levels across most skin types.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena is better for lightweight textures and fast absorption, while Simple is better for acne-safe formulas and value-friendly pricing.

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Neutrogena and Simple both fit dry skin at a High level on Lovi. Neutrogena helps deliver deep hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is beneficial for skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena offers a wider range of specialized cleansers that target various concerns like acne and aging, whereas Simple focuses entirely on gentle, fragrance-free cleansing. Both brands feature products that Lovi rates as High or Superior for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple offers more affordable price and value among the products on this page compared to Neutrogena.

Between Neutrogena and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Simple offers better fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Neutrogena includes fragrance in some of its formulas. Lovi rates Simple as having a High fit for sensitive skin.

Which brand performs better regarding acne-safe and gentle formulas, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple performs better regarding acne-safe and gentle formulas compared to Neutrogena. The products on this page for Simple are completely fragrance-free and are noted by reviewers as having a more acne-safe and gentle formula.

Neutrogena or Simple: which brand has more products suited for dry sensitive skin?

Neutrogena has more products on this page suited for dry sensitive skin, offering options with High fit levels like Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. Neutrogena is noted for faster absorption and a lighter texture, while Simple is preferred for a more affordable, acne-safe, and gentle formula.

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena is better for moisturizers that absorb fast and feel lightweight, while Simple is better for an affordable and sensitive-skin-friendly formula. Neutrogena features deep hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Neutrogena has a High fit level for sensitive skin, while Simple also has a High fit level. Both brands offer effective routines for sensitive skin, but Neutrogena is particularly noted for its lightweight and non-greasy texture.

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. Simple provides an acne-safe and gentle formula across the products on this page, while Neutrogena offers faster absorption and a lightweight, non-greasy texture.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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